Labrador Retrievers Fur color in Labrador Retrievers is controlled by two separate genes. Fur color is a polygenic trait! Gene 1: Represented by B : Controls color Gene 2: Represented by E : Controls expression of B

Labrador Retrievers If a Labrador retriever has a dominant B allele, they will have black fur. If they have two recessive alleles (bb) they will have brown fur.

Labrador Retrievers If a retriever receives at least one dominant “E” allele, they will remain the color that the “B” allele coded for. Either black of brown However, if a dog receives a pair of homozygous recessive “e” alleles, they will be golden regardless of their “B” alleles!

Labrador Retrievers BBEE and BbEe --> Black retrievers bbEE and bbEe --> Brown retrievers BBee, Bbee, or bbee --> Golden retrievers

Try this cross… You have decided to cross your golden retriever (bbee) with the neighbor’s chocolate retriever (bbEe). What color pups will they have?